Recap: Lakers-Heat... & Rajon Rondo

Yesterday was a good day for the NBA (well, in my biased NBA world).  My Lakers finally pulled out a meaningful win (how meaningful will be elaborated upon), and my fave point guard in the NBA, Rajon Rondo, absolutely dominated.  Let's take a look back on the Laker game & the star of the C's-Knicks game, Rajon Rondo.


Lakers-Heat  93-83


It seems like the Lakers were finally all on the same page this game.  From the start (well from the start that they started playing it on ABC since the C's went into OT), the Lakers seemed intent on winning this game.  They were working in the paint, Kobe had a hot hand, and they were actually making Miami work for their buckets.  This continued throughout the game, as Gasol & Bynum combined for 23 rebounds, Kobe scored 33 on 14-23 shooting, and the Lakers held Miami to 37.5%.  Ohh, and I forgot to mention that Metta World Peace actually put in some work!!  Seriously, he actually looked like he was (almost) worth the $6.9 million the Lakers are paying him this year.  I was thrilled throughout the game from beginning to end, but then I started thinking did the Lakers win because D-Wade fouled out and Bosh didn't play?


Obviously, I'm no clairvoyant and I can't answer that question with absolute certainty, but I honestly think they may have only been able to pull out a win because of those two reasons.  Bosh takes a lot of slack because he's playing with 2 of the best players in the league (LBJ & Wade), but he is a difference maker.  He matches up well with Gasol and gives the Heat an inside presence that they lack otherwise.  I think if you add him to yesterday's game that would have easily decreased Gasol's rebounds and added enough points to Miami's scoring to win the game.  They could have won without Bosh, but when D-Wade fouled out with about 5 minutes left in the game, I knew the Lakers had it in the bag.  Now, I know Wade wasn't having a great shooting night, but he is still a presence on the field and the Lakers have to worry about guarding him.  With him out of the game, the only player to worry about, and even think about doubling, is LBJ.  I'm not saying Wade would have saved the game, but it would have made a difference.


I honestly hope I'm wrong and that this win wasn't just a fluke, but I'm way too scared to get my hopes up at this point in the season.  I know I should have more confidence in my team, but I just don't think they can do it with so much dependence on Kobe to shell out 30+ points a night.  Not to mention the fact that Metta World Peace is one of the spottiest players ever and can't be relied on.  I still think the Lakers need to make a move before the trade deadline...which brings me to our next topic, the C's-Knicks game.


Rajon Rondo: Celtics-Knicks 115-111 


This was such an awesome game.  The C's were up, the Knicks were up, the C's went back up, then the Knicks seemed like they were going to take it, but then Paul Pierce made that 3 to send it into overtime and the C's managed to win it!  The real story here though was Rajon Rondo.  Boy did he do work! 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 20 assists.  You read right, 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 20 assists!!  He just dominated this game in every which way he could.  It was his way of telling Danny Ainge, EFF YOU!  
...But you know what, I say let's let Danny be Danny.  Trade Rajon to the Lakers for Bynum or Gasol (preferably Bynum because I still think Gasol is superior to Bynum).  We all know that the C's don't appreciate Rondo.  I'll even go as far as to say the league doesn't truly appreciate Rondo and his abilities.  But that's okay, because here in Lakerland, Rondo's skills won't go unappreciated.  I, a Lakers fan, can appreciate a PG who is averaging 14.3 points, 10.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game.  These stats at around $10.5 million a year are more than enough to tolerate his poor free-throw shooting and bad attitude.  Rondo is what the Lakers need to make a push for a title this year, which is why I say to Danny Ainge, do it, you know you want to trade Rondo, so work out a deal with Mitch Kupchak already.


***NOTE: I'd take D-Will for Bynum over Rondo for Bynum.